First hatch, would like some hand-holding, please. NOT an emergency!

Some of you know I am attempting my first hatching- I have been sitting on my hands for 18 days, and now... I'm am nervous!


The eggs went into the Hovabator 1588 with auto turner on Monday, Feb, 2nd at 8:30 p.m. By my count, yesterday evening, Feb. 20th was the start of the 18th day. The eggs are from my EE roo John Henry, and his 7 BR hens. All chickens are approximately one year old.

The 1588 held a steady temp of 100 F. the entire time, and humidity was mostly stable at 50%. The only fluctuations were when adding water and trying to candle. One egg was clear, so I pitched it.

After much internal debate, I decided to use the eggs carton method for hatching. So last night I removed the turner, lined part of the screen with shelf liner and put the remaining 17 eggs in three separate six-pack cartons, added water to the center tray per the instructions that came with the 'bator. I cut the tops and edges off the cartons.

The "bator has dropped to 99 degrees since the turner came out, and humidity is steady at 62%.

Here's the question part-

1. Did I count the days properly?

2. I forgot to cut the bottoms of the cartons open. Should I do it now? (gently and quickly do a swap for cut cartons?)

3. Is the drop in temp a problem, and if so, how to raise it?

4. Is the humidity okay? I have seen advisories about humidity covering a wide range.

And now, a pic!



Thanks for any help, in advance!

And it all ya'lls fault!!!

 

Quote:Hi freddy22, I thought long and hard, and did a ton of reading, because I know it is subject to much debate. I mostly got the final nudge to carton hatching after realizing how the hens "stabilize" their hatching eggs. Gives the chicks a bit more leverage, it seems. I was going to do half and half, and decided to quit being chicken and go for it. Depending upon how this turns out, I 'll decide if I shall continue with cartons or not.

Thanks for the help!

 

Quote:I'm TRYING!!!